Have you ever bought shoes that turned out to be a little too small, but it was too late to change them? Before you go out in tight footwear and get painful blisters, try using ice to spread them around the house. This quick and easy technique will get you on those shoes in no time.
Steps
Step 1. Fill the freezer bags with water
Fill two plastic bags with water, one for each shoe. Use sturdy freezer-specific bags so they won't break when the water turns to ice. Depending on the area of the shoe that you want to enlarge, the amount of liquid with which to fill the bags will vary:
- Tip: a quarter of the bag;
- Toe and back of the foot: half bag;
- Toe, back of foot and ankle: about three quarters of the bag.
Step 2. Check the bags
Make sure they are sealed and remove any excess air inside them. By doing so, the bags will not risk bursting in the freezer, all the water will be able to perfectly fill the shape of the shoe without forming air bubbles and it will be easier to insert the bag inside the shoes.
Step 3. Place the bag inside the shoe
Be careful not to open or tear the envelope as you insert it.
Try to get it as close as possible to the toe of the shoe if your goal is to enlarge that area of the shoe
Step 4. Place the shoes in the freezer
Leave them in the freezer with the bags of water inside them for at least 4-8 hours. This way the water will have enough time to turn into ice.
Step 5. Remove the bags
Leave the shoes at room temperature for 20 minutes before removing the ice packs. If you give the ice time to melt, it will become easier to remove the bag.
- If you can't remove the bags despite the time it takes for the ice to melt, you can try waiting a little longer or try breaking the ice. Then remove the bags.
- These are the two best alternatives: you will avoid pulling the bags, tearing them and getting, as a result, the bags of water and ice open inside your shoes. Water could damage your footwear.
Advice
- Make sure you widen the shoes a little at a time, especially if they are leather shoes: if you widen them too much, you will not be able to bring them back to their original size.
- Check that the bags are not leaking before placing them inside the shoes.
